Duplicating machine to convert microfilm to microfiche

ABSTRACT

A film exposing device for use in a machine to convert information on a strip of microfilm to information in the form of microfiche. The exposing device comprises a light source about which a rotary shutter is positioned. Light from the source is directed onto the strip of microfilm which is placed and held by air pressure and a resilient platen in intimate contact with a wide duplicating film advanced through the device in a direction normal to that of a strip.

United States Patent [1 1 Flor et a1.

[ Feb. 26, 1974 DUPLICATING MACHINE TO CONVERT MICROFILM TO MICROFICHE[75] Inventors: Lawrence A. Flor, Anoka; Earl K.

Hoyne, Fridley, both of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul,Minn.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 250,040

[52] US. Cl. 355/91, 355/95 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 27/20 [58] Field ofSearch 355/91, 95, 96, 117

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,667,845 6/1972 Leavitt355/91 3,656,852 4/1972 Oetting 355/91 3,622,241 11/1970 Dexter 355/911,968,287 7/1934 Farina 355/96 2,222,961 11/1940 Szasz 355/117 3,313,2254/1967 Mears 355/91 X 2,947,233 8/1960 Hickey.... 355/95 1,471,67210/1923 Wehrli 355/95 2,947,233 8/1960 Hickey 355/95 2,923,812 2/1960HauptvogeI 240/].3

Primary Examiner.lohn M. Horan Attorney, Agent, or FirmA1exander, Sell,Steldt & Delahunt [57] ABSTRACT A fi1m exposing device for use in amachine to convert information on a strip of microfilm to information inthe form of microfiche. The exposing device comprises a light sourceabout which a rotary shutter is positioned. Light from the source isdirected onto the strip of microfilm which is placed and held by airpressure and a resilient platen in intimate contact with a wideduplicating film advanced through the device in a direction normal tothat of a strip.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pmmwrww mwm sainanm DUPLICATING MACHINE TOCONVERT MICROFILM TO MICROFICI-IE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an improved microfilm duplicating machine forcontact exposure of a duplicate film to a plurality of images on a stripof microfilm simultaneously from which duplicate film microfiche can bemade. In one aspect this invention relates to an improved device formaintaining contact between a section of master film and a wideduplicate film stock during exposure and for permitting the rapidseparation and relative movement of the master and duplicate stock indirections normal to each other and for again placing subsequentsections of the master and duplicate stock in contact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART There are prior duplicating machines forduplicating films,which machines have means for assuring that there isgood contact between the films during exposure such that the duplicatestock has a latent image imparted thereto which is like the image of themaster. Contact between the emulsion-coated faces of the master andduplicate stock are thus desired during exposure but the emulsion coatedsurfaces should otherwise be treated delicately to avoid scratching. Inthe prior art, glass plates have been utilized to force opposed filmsections together. Also, a vacuum has been utilized to draw the air frombetween the films such that the two may be pressed into intimate contactat the exposing station. An example of the last-mentioned prior art isU.S. Pat. No. 3,606,536, wherein the master and duplicate stock arebeing advanced in the same relative direction. This system of usingvacuum however is not useful in achieving contact between strips offilms which are moving in paths normal to each other such as in thedevice of the present invention. The glass plates absorb heat and themovement of the plates is not convenient for rapid operation.

The presence of prior art where positive air pressure which isintermittently applied against the film to afford contact and to aid inseparation is not known to the applicant. Additionally, the use of aplaten behind the duplicate film through which air is directed againstthe film is not known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other novel features are recitedbelow. The purpose of the present invention is to afford means forchanging the format of the microfilm information from 16 mm strips ofmicrofilm to microfiche by using 105 mm duplicate stock film materialand moving the strip of 16 mm microfilm in a direction normal to that ofthe 105 mm duplicate stock to impart to the duplicate stock a pluralityof images from the 16 mm film and dispose the images in rows. Thus,information stored on magnetic tape may be converted by computer ontomicrofilm with existing electron beam 'recording equipment and with theapparatus of the present invention the 16 mm film can be converted tomicrofiche by exposing 105 mm duplicate stock film to successivesections of the microfilm to define transverse rows of images on theduplicate stock. The device of the present invention comprises means forsupporting and transporting a strip of 16 mm microfilm through anexposure station. Means for supporting a supply of duplicate mm filmstock and transporting it along a path through the exposure station,through a developing station, and to rewind or cut the developedduplicate stock. The exposure station comprises guide members forsupporting the duplicate film stock in a transverse position relative tothe exposing station and to support a section of the 16 mm film in aposition longitudinally of the exposure station and in apposed positionto the 105 mm film. Force transfer means are provided for forcing thefilms into intimate contact. The force transfer means comprises ductmeans for directing air towards said opposed strips of film, and valvemeans are provided in the duct adjacent the support for the 105 mm filmto effect a rapid movement of the film into contact and separationthereof at the exposure station. A platen behind the duplicate stock isin the path of the air and lifts the stock to reduce the spacing betweenthe films. A longitudinal light source extending in a path parallel tothe path of the 16 mm film affords exposure of the contacting films andexposure is controlled by a rotary shutter. The air used to affordcontact between the films is also used to cool the films and guides, theair used to cool the light source is subsequently heated to agreater'extent for the heat development of the duplicate stock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will be more fullyunderstood after reading the following detailed description which refersto the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view representing one embodiment of amachine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the exposure station ofthe device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the exposure station of FIG. 2taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a movable platen;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a light control shield;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detail view partly in section showing the film controlmembers in alternate positions; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the air flow system on the device of FIG.1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The machine of the present inventionaffords the duplication of information on 16 mm strip microfilm intoinformation on a microfiche format. The duplicate stock for themicrofiche or 105 mm film is preferably a light sensitive heatdevelopable film requiring brief intense radiation for exposure suchthat the machine may be daylight loaded and operated in room light.

The machine comprises a frame 10 which supports a pair of rotatabledriven spindles l I and 12 for supporting microfilm reels, l3 and 14respectively, for supporting the master film 15. The master film 15 isthreaded from the supply reel 13 through a film guide transport past theexposing station, generally designated 16, to the take-up reel 14.

The path for the master film 15 is from the supply reel 13 to a rollerguide 18 and into a vacuum loop chamber 20 onto another guide roller 19.From the guide roller 19 the film passes through the exposing station 16onto a film drive roller 21. The film 15 then returns into the loopstorage chamber 20 from which it is drawn over a guide roller 22 andwound on the takeup reel 14 driven intermittently by spindle 12. Theloop chamber 21) has openings 23 which sense the position of the filmloop to actuate the drive motors for spindles 11 and 12.

The frame also supports a supply roll 24 of duplicate film stock 25. Theduplicate film stock 25 is 105 mm light-sensitive, preferably heatdevelopable film such as the dry silver film sold by Minnesota Miningand Manufacturing'Company, Saint Paul, Minn, under the brand name 3M,and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,075.

The duplicate film 25 is fed by an intermittently driven film driveroller 26 from the supply roll 24 to the exposure station 16 along apath which is normal to that of the master film 15. From the exposurestation the duplicate film 25 moves across a continuously driven heatedroll 27 to develop the film. The film 25 is supported around the roller27 by the heated air passing through the cylindrical surface of theroll. From the developing roll 27 the processed duplicate film 25 isdrawn into a vacuum loop chamber 30 where it is cooled by air beingdrawn into the chamber. The film 25 .is pulled from the chamber 30 undertension by a pair of opposed rollers 34 and 35. The roller 35' is drivenby motor 36 controlled by a vacuum sensing switch associated with thechamber 30. The roller 35 is biased toward roller 35 to place the filmin driving engagement with the driven roll 35. The film 25 is thendirected between two cutting members 37 which cut the film intopredetermined lengths in response to coded marks exposed onto theduplicate film stock. Al-

ternatively the film 25, after it is processed and passed between thefeed rollers 34 and 35, may be wound onto a take-up roll. The cutsections of developed film are dispensed into a tray 38 on the front ofthe machine.

The exposing station 16 comprises a housing 39 which is supportedprimarily on a plate 40 extending transversely or horizontally at theexposure station. A pair of parallel spaced support members 41 and 42,spaced on either side of an opening 43 in the plate 40, are mounted onplate 40. A heat-absorbing glass plate 44 is positioned in the opening43. The support members 41 and 42 have bushings in large openings torotatably support a generally cylindrical shutter 45 which extendsbetween the support plates 41 and 42. The shutter 45 has a hub 46 at theend adjacent the support 42. The hub 46 is provided with interior gears47 which mesh with a gear 48 supported also by the plate 42 via a shaft49 and driven by a timing belt 50 from a drive sprocket 51 of a motor52.

Also supported between the support plates 41 and 42 is an elongate lightsource comprising a mercury vapor lamp 54 and a pair of parabolicreflectors 55 and 56. The lamp 54 is disposed on the center line of eachreflector and the reflectors 55 and 56 are rotated about their focus orthe lamp axis about 10 to direct reflected light therefrom toward thesame band of film. The light from the source passes through a heatabsorbing glass 44 supported in the opening 43 of the plate 40. Theshutter 45 is provided with diametrically opposed openings 53. Theshutter 45 is rotated to place an opening 53 at an exposing position, atwhich time a timer controls exposure and then the opening is moved pastthe open position to discontinue film exposure.

The housing 39 is cooled by drawing ambient air through the ends of thehousing and about the light source through the openings in supportmembers 41 and 42. The cooling air is exhausted from the housing 39through a manifold 57 disposed on the rearward side of the housing 39,which manifold connects with a duct 58 leading to a blower 120 to behereinafter described.

The exposing station 16 is formed with force transfer means utilizingforced air for pressing the films into intimate contact. This meanscomprises a rectangular frame 59 defining a first air pressure chamber60 suspended beneath the housing 39. The chamber 60 is positioned abovethe path of the films 15 and 25. The frame 59 is positioned transverselyof the machine, parallel to the housing 39 and extends in the directionof the path of the master film. 15. Forced air is also directed againstthe opposite side of the film as hereinafter described.

Within the chamber 60 is disposed means for controlling the exposinglight. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7 this control meanscomprises a pair of glass plates 61 and 62. Between these glass platesis positioned a thin sheet 63 of polyester film vapor coated withaluminum to reduce light transmission by about 35 percent. This sheetwill decrease the intensity of the light on the side opposite the lamp54, particularly at the center section of the exposing station such thatexposure of the duplicate film will be uniform from end to end. The thinpolyester sheet 63 may have slightly different shapes than illustratedin FIG. 5 to provide the light control required. Other means for lightcontrol to afford an even distribution of the light through an exposureopening 65 in the bottom of the frame 59 and an opening 66 in a maskingplate 67, which is slidably received beneath the frame 58, may also besubstituted for the control member illustrated. The opening 66 in themasking member 67 is narrower than the width of the master film 15 andthe opening 66 has a length which permits light to pass therethrough andexpose simultaneously a desired number of images on the section ofmaster film 15. The bottom surface of the mask 67 is polished to providea smooth surface to contact the backing of the master film.

The force transfer means further includes an air duct 70 connected tothe frame 59 and air moves through the duct 59 under a predeterminedpressure and into the chamber 60 to pass downward through the openings65 and 66 toward the master film 15 for purposes which will hereinafterbe explained. The duct 70 may comprise two branches extending up oneither side of the frame 59 and via two openings 71 communicates withthe interior of the chamber 60.

Supported by the frame 10 beneath the frame 59 is a rectangular block orsecond frame 75 having a longitudinal bore 76 formed therein to define asecond pressure chamber 77 and an air passageway. Within the centralbore 76 is a valve or rotatable vane 78 which in one position helpsdefine the pressure chamber 77. The vane 78 is generally diamond-shapedin cross-section and fits diametrically within said bore and isrotatable on a shaft 80 extending through the transversely spaced endsof block 75. The shaft 80 is connected at each extended end to a radialarm 81, which arms are oscillated by links 82 (only one of which isshown) connected to pivoted cam following driving links 84. The links 84are oscillated in response to rotation of two spaced cams 85, again onlyone is shown and will hereinafter be referred to singularly. Rotation ofthe cam 85 pivots the driving link 84 to move the vane 78 between afirst operative pressure transferring position, as

shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 where forced air is directed into the bore 76 andthrough an elongated slot 87 toward a platen 88 and the duplicate film25, and a second position wherein the vane '78 is positioned generallyhorizontally in the path of the air and permits the air to pass throughthe block '75 and out through a second slotted opening 90 in the frontside. The pressurized air is forced into the bore '76 through openingsin the block 75 and through ducts 91 which branch from the air duct 70.In the forced air releasing or second position the vane 78, because ofits shape will reduce below normal the pressure on the underside of theduplicate film 25, drawing it down on the block 75.

The platen 88 comprises a thin sheet metal plate 94 which is rectangularin shape and formed with an extension 95 on each end thereof having adepending leg 96. The plate 94 is formed with a series of openings 97positioned centrally and spaced lengthwise through which the pressurizedair can pass. The center-most openings 97 are larger than the openingstoward the ends to place the pressure first against the center of theapposed films. The upper surface of the plate 94 is a flat black color.Disposed above and covering the plate 94 is a black silicone rubber padhaving a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges which form pathsfor the air moving through holes 97 when the platen 88 has been liftedinto contact with the duplicate film 25. The air moving between theridges cools the film. The pattern of the holes 97, as illustrated inFIG. 7, permits the air to first move through the large openings in thecenter portion of the plate to lift the film stock 25 against the masterfilm and to squeeze the air from between the center of the films firstand then toward the ends as the contact is made. The platen 88 is raisedby arms 99 which are connected to the depending legs 96 on theextensions 95. The arms 99 raise the platen upon movement of the vane 78from the second position shown in FIG. 6 to the operating or firstposition of FIGS. 3 and 7. Movement of the platen 88 into contact withthe film 2S precedes the final movement of the vane 78 to a positionwhere the air pressure forces the films together. The platen 88 liftsthe duplicate film 25 to reduce the spacing between the films andbetween the duplicate film 25 and the mask 67. The platen 88 is liftedby the arms 99 which are connected to and driven by ec'centric pins 101on crank arms 102. The crank arms 102 are secured to the extended endsof shaft 80.

Upon movement of the vane 78 to its second position the pressure of theair is relieved from the film very rapidly. The pressure applied againstthe film 15 through chamber 60 is not released as rapidly and thereserve pressure in chamber 60 forces the film away from contact withthe mask 67, and the air blows around the edges of the film 15 forcingthe wider film 25 away from the film 15 causing a rapid separation ofthe two films due to this air flow as the platen 88 is lowered. Thereduced pressure below the film 25 increases the speed of separation.

The cam 85 for operating the vane 78 is secured to a motor drive shaft105 of a single revolution drive motor not shown. Connected also to thedrive shaft 105 is an eccentrically positioned drive pin 107 whichdrives a link 108 connected to a crank arm 109. Crank arm 109 isconnected to a drive shaft 110 of a single direction needle-bearingclutch 111. The clutch 111 is connected to the shaft which supports anddrives the film drive roller 26, feeding the duplicate film 25incrementally from the supply roll 24- to the exposure station 16. Thusrotation of the shaft by its single revolution drive motor through thefirst one-quarter of a revolution moves the vane 78 from the operatingposition of FIGS. 3 and 7 wherein air pressure is applied against thefilm, to an open valve position, releasing the air pressure against thefilms and separating them. The next one-half revolution of shaft 105drives the crank arm 109 to rotate roller 26 a predetermined incrementto advance the film 25 a distance equivalent to one row of images on theresulting fiche. The last one-quarter turn of the shaft 105 returns thevane 78 to the operative position of FIGS. 3 and 7, again forcing thefilms into intimate contact at the exposure station. In the interim, themachine has driven roller 21 to advance the master film 15 and place anew section of film over the opening 66. The film advance for film 15can be programmed by codes on the film, counting image frames etc.Control members of any suitable design can be utilized to operate thedrive roller 21 and to program the advance of the duplicate stock afterthe desired number of latent images or rows of images have been impartedto a length of the film.

With the films in intimate contact at the exposure station due to theinitial air pressure and the pressure of the platen 88 the motor 52drives the shutter 45 to rotate the shutter one-half revolution exposingthe duplicate film 25 to a light image projected through the mas terfilm 15.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown a schematic diagram of the airflow system for the machine. This figure illustrates that a manifold orduct 115 is positioned to cover the openings 23 in the vacuum loopchamber 20. The duct 115 draws air into the vacuum chamber under thepressure of a centrifugal multiple stage blower 116 positioned in theduct 115. The air introduced into the duct 115 is cool ambient air whichsurrounds the machine and this air is blown by the blower 116 under apressure of 3 to 6 inches of water and approximately 20 cubic feet ofair per minute, through the duct 70 and branches thereof such as 91 intothe chamber 60 and into the bore 76. This ambient air introduced intothese chambers is thus cool and serves to cool the films 15 and 25 andto cool the surrounding portions of the frame 59 and 75. The air duct 58on housing 39 is connected to a centrifugal multiplestage blower 120.Also connected to the blower 120 is a duct 121 which is connected to thefilm cooling chamber 30. Air drawn through the housing 39 and air duct59 to cool the lamp and surrounding reflector, shutter and housing,together with the air drawn into cooling chamber 30 which cools theheated film, is forced by flow 120 through a duct 124 past a heatingelement 125 into the developing roll 27. This warmed air is thus heatedadditionally by the heating element 25 connected to a source ofelectrical energy 126 to bring the air to a temperature sufficient toheat develop the film 25. The air is also moved by the blower 120 at anair flow speed of about 30 cfm or 6 inches of water vacuum or pressure.The heating roller 27 is formed of sintered bronze or sintered ceramicthrough which the forced hot air may pass generally uniformly to heatthe film in the area the film extends about the drum periphery. This airflow is sufficient to provide the necessary cooling of the lamp 54 andfilm 25 and to provide the necessary heating for development and airsupport for the film 25 as it is drawn under tension developed by airflow in the vacuum loop chamber 30 around the developing roller 27. Avacuum sensing switch is connected to an opening 13%) to sense theposition of the film loop in the chamber 30 and to control the operationof motor 36. Motor 36 and rollers 34 and 35 draw the cooled film 25 fromthe loop chamber 30.

The machine of the present invention affords the production ofmicrofiche without destruction of the master film. The master can thusbe retained in its strip form for further use or for further productionof additional copies on the microfiche format. The present machineplaces the master film over the duplicate film to expose a column at atime of the resulting microfiche each time an exposure is made. Themaster film, when developed by the electron beam recorder, is providedwith a code on its margin to control the advance of the film by driveroller 21. The machine of the present invention places the coded markson the duplicate film by counting the number of times the duplicate filmis advanced in succession, said number corresponding with the number ofcolumns across a microfiche.

Having thus described the present invention with references to oneembodiment of a machine constructed according to this invention, it willbe readily understood that changes may be made in the machine withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A microfilm duplicating apparatus form forming microfiche with rowsof images running transverse of the duplicate film from a strip of filmhaving successive visible images along the length thereof comprising:

a film transport means for intermittently advancing a said strip of filmalong a first path,

an exposure station disposed along said path for exposing a section ofsaid strip of film which section comprises a plurality of images,

means for supporting a supply of duplicate film having a width at leastas great as the length of said section of film,

means for intermittently advancing said duplicate film along a secondpath perpendicular to said first path and through said exposure stationin a position opposed to that of said section of film,

force transfer means at said exposure station for forcing said filmsinto intimate contact with each other at said exposure station, saidforce transfer means comprising:

a source of air under pressure,

duct means for directing said air under pressure to a first chamberposition above a said section of film and to a second chamber below saidduplicate film, a platen movably supported below said duplicate film andabove said second chamber for movement toward and away from saidduplicate film, and

valve means in said second chamber for directing said air coming thereintoward said platen and said duplicate film to force said duplicate filmtoward and into intimate contact with said section of film and forreleasing said air pressure from said platen and duplicate film allowingthe air pressure to exhaust to the atmosphere and the iar appliedagainst said section of film will aid in separating said suplicate filmfrom the section of film to permit the subsequent intermittentadvancement of said films along said perpendicular paths,

a source of brief intense radiation at said exposure station fordirecting radiation through said first chamber for exposing saidduplicate film to images:

on said section of film, processing means for developing cate film, and

means for transferring the exposed film to said processing means fordeveloping the film.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source of radiation comprises:

a rectangular housing extending along the path of said strip of filmabove said first chamber,

a source of light disposed within said housing,

rotatable shutter disposed about said source of light,

said shutter comprising a generally cylindricalshaped member having atleast on opening formed in the side wall and extending axially of saidmember, and

means rotatably supporting said shutter for rotation about said sourceof light for controlling the exposure of successive sections of film.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said processing means forsaid duplicate film includes a continuously rotatable drum through whichheated air under pressure is directed against said duplicate film afterexposure with sufficient temperature and pressure to heat said duplicatefilm and maintain the duplicate film in spaced relation from the surfaceof said drum.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said platen comprises aplate having a plurality of spaced central openings and means areconnected to said plate for raising said plate upon operation of saidvalve means to direct air toward said duplicate film, which meanscomprises a crank arm for moving said plate upon operation of said valvemeans.

5. A contact film exposing apparatus for forcing two opposed films intointimate contact, exposing a duplicate film to images on a section ofthe other film and separating the films, comprising:

a rectangular housing extending along a path of said section of film,

a source of light disposed within said housing,

support means for said section of film and for said one duplicate film,

a first air chamber disposed adjacent said section of film,

a second chamber disposed adjacent said duplicate film,

means for directing air under pressure into said chambers to force saidfilms into intimate contact with each other,

valve means in said second chamber for relieving the air pressure onsaid duplicate film and then on said section of film such that saidpressure is first relieved from said duplicate film and the pressureagainst said strip of film will aid in separating said films to affordthe rapid advance of said films another increment, and

platen means placed adjacent the duplicate film for moving the duplicatefilm toward the section of film, said platen means comprising:

a thin plate formed with a plurality of spaced central openingspositioned lengthwise of said plate, and a silicone rubber cover on saidplate, said cover having parallel ridges on the upper surface with saidridges extending lengthwise of said plate over areas of said platesurrounding said openings, and

the exposed duplisaid second chamber, said second chamber being definedby a bone disposed lengthwise through a block disposed beneath the pathof said section of film, said block also having an air inlet opening, anoutlet opening and a force directing opening over which said plate isdisposed, said vane directing air entering said inlet opening to one ofsaid outlet opening or force directing opening upon movement thereof.

1. A microfilm duplicating apparatus form forming microfiche with rowsof images running transverse of the duplicate film from a strip of filmhaving successive visible images along the length thereof comprising: afilm transport means for intermittently advancing a said strip of filmalong a first path, an exposure station disposed along said path forexposing a section of said strip of film which section comprises aplurality of images, mEans for supporting a supply of duplicate filmhaving a width at least as great as the length of said section of film,means for intermittently advancing said duplicate film along a secondpath perpendicular to said first path and through said exposure stationin a position opposed to that of said section of film, force transfermeans at said exposure station for forcing said films into intimatecontact with each other at said exposure station, said force transfermeans comprising: a source of air under pressure, duct means fordirecting said air under pressure to a first chamber position above asaid section of film and to a second chamber below said duplicate film,a platen movably supported below said duplicate film and above saidsecond chamber for movement toward and away from said duplicate film,and valve means in said second chamber for directing said air comingtherein toward said platen and said duplicate film to force saidduplicate film toward and into intimate contact with said section offilm and for releasing said air pressure from said platen and duplicatefilm allowing the air pressure to exhaust to the atmosphere and the iarapplied against said section of film will aid in separating saidsuplicate film from the section of film to permit the subsequentintermittent advancement of said films along said perpendicular paths, asource of brief intense radiation at said exposure station for directingradiation through said first chamber for exposing said duplicate film toimages on said section of film, processing means for developing theexposed duplicate film, and means for transferring the exposed film tosaid processing means for developing the film.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said source of radiation comprises: a rectangular housingextending along the path of said strip of film above said first chamber,a source of light disposed within said housing, rotatable shutterdisposed about said source of light, said shutter comprising a generallycylindrical-shaped member having at least on opening formed in the sidewall and extending axially of said member, and means rotatablysupporting said shutter for rotation about said source of light forcontrolling the exposure of successive sections of film.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said processing means for saidduplicate film includes a continuously rotatable drum through whichheated air under pressure is directed against said duplicate film afterexposure with sufficient temperature and pressure to heat said duplicatefilm and maintain the duplicate film in spaced relation from the surfaceof said drum.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said platencomprises a plate having a plurality of spaced central openings andmeans are connected to said plate for raising said plate upon operationof said valve means to direct air toward said duplicate film, whichmeans comprises a crank arm for moving said plate upon operation of saidvalve means.
 5. A contact film exposing apparatus for forcing twoopposed films into intimate contact, exposing a duplicate film to imageson a section of the other film and separating the films, comprising: arectangular housing extending along a path of said section of film, asource of light disposed within said housing, support means for saidsection of film and for said one duplicate film, a first air chamberdisposed adjacent said section of film, a second chamber disposedadjacent said duplicate film, means for directing air under pressureinto said chambers to force said films into intimate contact with eachother, valve means in said second chamber for relieving the air pressureon said duplicate film and then on said section of film such that saidpressure is first relieved from said duplicate film and the pressureagainst said strip of film will aid in separating said films to affordthe rapid advance of said films another incrEment, and platen meansplaced adjacent the duplicate film for moving the duplicate film towardthe section of film, said platen means comprising: a thin plate formedwith a plurality of spaced central openings positioned lengthwise ofsaid plate, and a silicone rubber cover on said plate, said cover havingparallel ridges on the upper surface with said ridges extendinglengthwise of said plate over areas of said plate surrounding saidopenings, and means connected to said plate affording movement of saidplate toward and away from said duplicate film.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein said means connected to said platecomprises a crank arm for moving said plate upon operation of said valvemeans.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said valve meanscomprises an oscillating vane disposed in said second chamber, saidsecond chamber being defined by a bone disposed lengthwise through ablock disposed beneath the path of said section of film, said block alsohaving an air inlet opening, an outlet opening and a force directingopening over which said plate is disposed, said vane directing airentering said inlet opening to one of said outlet opening or forcedirecting opening upon movement thereof.